Princeton sits atop the Division I, Region 4 playoff picture with two games left to play.
The Ohio High School Athletic Association (OHSAA) released its Harbin computer rankings on Tuesday, Oct. 13, and the Vikings (8-0) hold the No. 1 spot with a rating of 25.75. That lead of more than four points over No. 2 Lakota West (7-1, 21.2375) puts Princeton on track for a first-round bye when the postseason opens Friday, Oct. 30, according to the Journal-News.
The top four seeds in each region earn byes into the second round. First-round games take place at the higher-seeded team's home field.
Princeton's path to the No. 1 seed runs through Oak Hills (4-4) on Friday, Oct. 16. The Highlanders sit 12th in the region with a 9.9875 rating. A Vikings win would also clinch at least a share of the Greater Miami Conference title.
Oak Hills enters the matchup after a Week 8 upset loss. Sycamore, a 33-point underdog, beat the Highlanders 36-35, according to the Journal-News.
The Vikings beat Hamilton 60-6 on Friday, Oct. 9. Quarterback Key'Sean Torbert went 10-of-13 passing for 176 yards and four touchdowns and added a 33-yard rushing score, the Stateline Sports Network reported.
The Vikings have been tested this season. After Princeton survived six turnovers to beat Lakota West 27-24 on Sept. 18, head coach Andre Parker told TriStateFootball.com the team won ugly. "You don't have six turnovers and win a game. You have to be a special team to do that," Parker said.
Three wins later, Princeton remains undefeated.
The GMC has five teams positioned to make the Region 4 postseason field. Elder (6-2) sits third with a 21.0777 rating. Archbishop Moeller (6-2) is fourth at 17.9625. Winton Woods (7-1) holds fifth at 17.35. Fairfield (4-4) sits 11th, and Oak Hills is 12th, both on the bubble.
The final Harbin rankings will be released after Week 9 results are in. Princeton hosts Oak Hills on Friday, Oct. 16, with a GMC title share and the region's top playoff seed on the line.
